Energy Saving and Decarbonisation for All 2023 Campaign launched (with photos)

The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) launched the Energy Saving and Decarbonisation for All 2023 Campaign today (June 29) to encourage the community to save energy, reduce carbon emission and accelerate the low-carbon transformation of Hong Kong.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said that the Government strives to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and targets to reduce Hong Kong's carbon emissions by 50 per cent before 2035 as compared to the 2005 level. Miss Wong called for concerted action to support the Energy Saving and Decarbonisation for All 2023 Campaign and overcome the challenges of climate change.

Jointly organised by the EEB and the EMSD, the Energy Saving and Decarbonisation for All 2023 Campaign comprises the Energy Saving Charter 2023, the 4T Charter, and the Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2023.

"At present, buildings account for about 90 per cent of the electricity consumption in Hong Kong. To achieve the target of carbon neutrality, we have to enhance the energy efficiency standard of building services facilities and to reduce energy consumption of various electrical appliances. This year, over 3 200 organisations have signed up for the Energy Saving Charter 2023. They pledged to maintain the average indoor temperature at their premises between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius during the high summer months from June to September, switch off appliances when not in use, procure energy-efficient appliances, promote energy data transparency, share energy saving measures and achievements, and facilitate retrofitting in existing buildings", said Miss Wong.

As for the 4T Charter, over 750 premises have joined by setting an energy saving target with an action timeline, ensuring the transparency of building energy data and the reporting of energy saving results, as well as encouraging stakeholders to work together to achieve the target of energy saving.

At the ceremony, Miss Wong and the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Eric Pang, presented awards to winners of the Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2022. The Competition for Organisations encourages organisations from all sectors to take the lead in planning and implementing retro-commissioning with the incorporation of more innovative and technology elements to further enhance energy efficiency performance of existing buildings, with a view to promoting and achieving carbon neutrality. The Competition for Students seeks to inspire the creativity and imagination of young people to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 by energy saving and a wider adoption of renewable energy. Winners' energy saving initiatives will be uploaded to the Energy Saving for All website.

Two energy saving competitions under the Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2023, the Competition for Households and the Competition for Students were also launched during the ceremony. All households and students are encouraged to participate.

Details of the Energy Saving and Decarbonisation for All 2023 Campaign have been uploaded to the website www.energysaving.gov.hk.